The Senior Executive Officer of FALA, Olajumoke
Ola-Akinsanya, disclosed this during a media briefing in Lagos on Thursday.
Speaking on how the winners emerged, Ola-Akinsaya noted that
30 winners were selected from the nomination received by the organisers and
their applications were screened to select the best 10.
She added that each of the 10 recipients was supported with
$10,000 while the overall best winner
got an additional $25,000 grant as the star prize.
“After nominations have been received, the criteria have to
do with the project and the impact it is having and how innovative the project
is. When we are talking about innovation, we are not talking about copying and
pasting something from somewhere outside Africa, we are looking at something
that is doable and self-sustaining. By the time we have that, we then come up
with different stages to come about with the winners.”
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| Mariama Gendemeh from Sierra Leone emerges as the Star Prize Winner of FALA 2023. |
In her reaction, the overall winner of the star prize from Sierra Leone, Mariama Gendemh, said the grants would help her foundation to contribute to solving food security issues that had ravaged her country and also contribute to other socio-economic problems in Sierra Leone.
She said, “The company is not just focused on food security
alone; we are using agriculture as a powerhouse to implement the initiatives
through the provision of foods for the malnourished kids. Our farm produce are
not for sale, they are meant to serve as a community food project which we have
embarked upon. The farm is just there as a powerhouse to help us implement our
project. this grant will help us to expand on our activities.”
The pan-African organisation, Future Africa Leadership Foundation (FALF), established by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Foundation organisers of the Future Africa Leaders Awards said no fewer than 123 recipients from across 30 African countries spanning five regions, who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in solving problems for the continent have won the prestigious awards in the last 11 years and grants totaling USD 1,340,000 spent to drive change across Africa.
Member, Central Executive Council Loveworld Nation, Pastor
T.T. Temisan who disclosed this at the official unveiling of the 10 overall
winners and the star winner of the 2023 Future Africa Leaders Awards (FALA) at
the prestigious Providence by Mantis Hotel, Ikeja Lagos, said the awards is
committed to identifying, nurturing, and empowering young African leaders to
make positive impacts in their communities.
According to him, over the past decade, FALF has been a
leader in youth development, equipping them with essential skills and resources
to drive change in their various communities and countries.
“The award continues to pick its change agents across the
five regions of the African continent through their initiatives in the areas of
health, sanitation, agriculture, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment,
technology, advocacy for justice and good governance in building a better
continent.” Pastor Temisan said.
He added that in the past year, the Foundation has working
with its youth ambassadors (past winners), identified and supported more than
77 million young individuals across the 54 African nations.
“FALF made an extraordinary contribution of N500 million to
the expansion of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta,
Ogun State as part of its commitment to empowering Africa’s future leaders and
preserving the rich heritage of Nigeria,” he said.
He noted that the FALF Masterclass summit streamed on
Kingschat and the FALF website, with an impressive participation of 8 million
young individuals from 54 African countries, adding that the summit has served
as a catalyst for inspiration and empowerment, promoting a renewed sense of
hope and driving positive change on the continent.
The Foundation also had meaningful engagements with
governmental stakeholders with among others, the former Nigerian President
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; the first female President in Africa, Madame Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia; former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele
Jonathan; Physician, activist, and former African Union Ambassador to the
United States, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao; former President of Malawi, Her
Excellency Dr. Joyce Banda; Nobel Laureate and distinguished peace activist
from Liberia, Dr. Leymah Gbowee and Speaker National Legislative Assembly
Republic of South Sudan, Dr Jemma Nunu Kumba, all of whom exemplified the voice
of change on the continent.
“This pioneering facility has empowered over 12,079 young
people through consistent training in ICT skills, enabling them to become
active participants in the digital age.
“These laudable projects reflect the Future Africa Leaders Foundation’s unwavering commitment to equipping and empowering young African leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge to create a significant impact in their communities and beyond.”
The Future Africa Leaders Award (FALA) is an annual prize
awarded to 10 African youths who have contributed significantly in their local
communities through innovation, societal education on local and global issues,
developing solutions to combat societal issues, advocacy, social education and
societal awareness.
FALA was established in 2013 and is organized every year by
the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, a sub-organization of the Chris
Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI). The Award recognizes the role of
young leaders as drivers of progress and development in Africa, and therefore
only youths in Africa between the ages of 16 - 23 qualify as recipients.
The selection process commences within the year where
entries are submitted on the Foundation's official website, after which a
review and verification process is initiated till a final list of 30 is
shortlisted and presented.
It is awarded to 10 youths each year across Africa between
the ages of 16 - 23 by the patron of the foundation and host of the Award
ceremony, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.
Among the ten winners each year who receive $10,000, a star
prize winner emerges from them receiving an additional $25,000.
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